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SNAPSHOT Though the U.S. Senate race seemed to hold the most promise for a close race, it was the governor's race in Minnesota that grabbed the election-night headlines. Incumbent Tim Pawlenty held onto his office by just 22,000 votes over DFLer Mike Hatch. But Pawlenty saw his GOP colleagues swept out of office. In the Senate race, DFLer Amy Klobuchar easily beat Rep. Mark Kennedy.

The retirement of Sen. Mark Dayton sparked early interest in the campaign, with Rep. Mark Kennedy jumping in early. But a year later, Kennedy emerged as the lone Republican for the job, and Hennepin County Attorney Amy Klobuchar's strength was forcing several Democrats, including Patty Wetterling, out of the race.

The Senate race immediately attracted national attention, but as Klobuchar surged ahead of Kennedy in the polls, much national attention turned to the 6th District, where Patty Wetterling and state Sen. Michele Bachmann were the major contenders. Bachmann beat Wettlerling. It was Wetterling's second straight loss in the district. In the 5th, Rep. Keith Ellison became the first Muslim congressman. And in the 1st, incumbent Gil Gutknecht was defeated by DFLer Tim Walz.

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Illinois Sen. Barack Obama, one of the biggest names in the Democratic Party, spent Monday in Minnesota -- campaigning for Democrats and signing copies of his new book. The atmosphere at the book signing was worthy of a rock star.
(10/30/2006)

Should Minnesota constitutionally dedicate its motor vehicle sales tax to fund roads and transit? Voters will decide that question on Nov. 7, and the University of Minnesota, Duluth sponsored a debate on the merits of the MVST amendment.
(Midday,
10/30/2006)

The St. Paul Schools' current levy referendum is expiring next summer. So the district board is asking taxpayers to pay more than $20 million dollars a year for six years to avoid cutting school programs.
(10/30/2006)

Republican U.S. Senate candidate Mark Kennedy
questioned the honesty of his Democratic opponent Amy Klobuchar
during a debate Sunday night, scaling up his rhetoric against her
with 10 days to go until the election.
(10/29/2006)

A proposed constitutional amendment to dedicate
tax dollars to state transportation needs will remain on the Nov. 7
ballot, despite arguments that its wording is confusing, the
state Supreme Court ruled on Thursday.
(10/26/2006)

Like he did in the stretch run four years ago, Republican Gov.
Tim Pawlenty began airing an immigration-themed ad. Meanwhile,
Democratic challenger Mike Hatch expressed a willingness to approve
a gas tax increase despite his personal opposition to it.
(10/25/2006)